A vile social media post by Senator Ralph Babet could be a test case for Parliament’s new code of conduct, a leading public policy expert believes.

ANU politics and public administration researcher Dr Maria Maley told The New Daily if Babet broke the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, he could be investigated by the newly formed Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC).

Parliament legislated the IPSC in September following the landmark 2022 report Set the Standard, which recommended a body capable of workplace investigations and placing sanctions under codes of behaviour for politicians and their staff.

Babet’s tweet could be “a test case” of the code and the IPSC, which binds parliamentarians not to take part in “bullying and harassment, sexual harassment or assault, discrimination in all its forms including on the grounds of race, age, sex, sexuality, gender identity, disability, or religion”.

The New Daily has chosen not to republish the grossly offensive, racist and ableist remarks made by Babet.

“Both the code and the standards apply to parliamentarians in the course of their role, including at social events, when travelling for work, and outside of normal business hours,” the code states.

“This includes conduct engaged in by any means, including in person, or by electronic communication.”

Referral

Maley said that although the behaviour code has been in place since early 2023, it hasn’t been enforceable until the introduction of the IPSC in mid-September.

“He could be a test case,” she said. “Any comment made publicly by parliamentarians would now be covered by this behaviour code. It is quite detailed and requires them not to discriminate, bully or harass people.”

The New Daily asked the IPSC if any complaint against Babet had been lodged but did not receive a response. Babet was also contacted for comment.

Clive Palmer’s $117 million in funding to his United Australia Party ahead of the 2022 election resulted in Babet becoming the party’s lone parliamentarian. Photo: AAP

Maley said that someone directly affected by the conduct can complain to the IPSC, which will then decide whether or not to investigate it.

Those who work in and around politics, including MPs and staffers, can make complaints.

“They can complain about a parliamentarian or a staffer. It must be made in writing and it must include details of the allegation,” she said.

“It has been specifically set up to deal with poor conduct and misconduct that makes people unsafe in parliamentary workplaces, and the workplaces include online spaces.”

Behaviour

The IPSC can require parliamentarians to undergo training, professional development plans, or undertake behaviour agreements.

It is the powerful Senate Privileges Committee, however, that hands down major sanctions, including fines of between two and five per cent of an MP or senator’s annual wage, and suspension or removal from committees.

Both the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party were contacted for comment and asked if Babet broke the Parliamentary Code of Conduct. Neither responded.

Maley said it is important that people were aware of the IPSC and the role it will play in policing parliamentary misconduct.

“Prior to this, there was no independent and impartial system, no code of conduct and no way of holding people who did this sort of misconduct accountable,” she said.

“It is a dramatic and interesting change.”

Brittany Higgins’ allegation that she had been raped by Bruce Lehmann in Parliament House, which has since been ruled as true on the balance of probabilities in civil court, was integral to the ISPC’s launch.